Peer Mediation Invitational (PMI) 2027
Empowering Youth. Building Peace. Inspiring Change.
PMI is more than just an event. It’s a launching pad for young people, putting them in the driver’s seat to build understanding, resolve conflicts, and create lasting change in their schools.
Inspiring Youth, Transforming Schools
Peer Mediation Invitational is a dynamic, daylong event that empowers middle and high school students to navigate conflict and reduce violence with empathy, creativity, and collaboration. At PMI, students participate in real-world mediation practice sessions, peer-led activities, and interactive workshops that build conflict resolution and communication skills.
These experiences prepare students to make a positive difference in their schools and beyond. Experienced peer mediators deepen their practice through advanced sessions and coaching, while students with some exposure to peer mediation revisit the fundamentals and strengthen their skills in a supportive, hands-on setting.
More than skill-building, PMI gives young people opportunities to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds, share their stories, and see themselves as part of a region-wide movement for peaceful, inclusive school communities. By participating, students, educators, counselors, and school staff join an active network dedicated to empowering people and driving meaningful change.
Date
Wednesday, February 24, 2027
Time
8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location
The California Endowment
1000 Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
From Conflict to Connection
Administrators, Educators, Counselors, & School Staff
PMI gives your students hands-on opportunities to practice real-world mediation, deepen their conflict-resolution skills, and connect with peers across the region. Experienced peer mediators can advance their skills through coaching and advanced sessions, while students with some prior experience revisit core concepts and strengthen their foundation. Educators, counselors, and school staff are welcome to join a supportive network working together to create meaningful, lasting change in school communities.
Top 3 Reasons to Register:
- Equip students with real-world communication and mediation skills
- Foster a supportive, restorative school culture
- Join a countywide network of educators and student leaders
Hover over images to learn more!
Be a Mediation Mentor!
This is a 4-hour commitment (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) that includes training and networking with other mentors followed by a mediation workshop where you'll work directly with students through complex, real-world scenarios that challenge them to navigate difficult conversations, identify underlying needs, and facilitate constructive solutions.
Participate in PMI's Career Panel
Join a distinguished group of professionals who engage students in a career and leadership panel (12:45 to 2 p.m.). Explore how conflict resolution skills translate into careers in mediation, public service, and other fields. These conversations will offer both practical exposure to professional pathways and a broader understanding of how these skills can shape their futures.
Behind the Scenes PMI Support
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to bring positive energy and seamless coordination throughout the event (7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). If you love organized logistics, welcoming smiling faces, or helping students and teachers navigate an inspiring day, we have a spot for you!
Mediation Mentors & Volunteers
Share your experience and help guide the next generation of peacebuilders. As a volunteer or mentor, you’ll support students during workshops,
Join a collaborative network of mentors and professionals supporting youth transformation
with event logistics, and have the opportunity to network with professionals and advocates who share your commitment to conflict resolution.
Top 3 Reasons to Volunteer:
- Make a direct impact on youth and your community
- Build your own skills and network alongside passionate professionals
- Join a collaborative network of mentors and professionals supporting youth transformation
Invest in Youth Leadership
Your support empowers young leaders to transform their schools and communities. By donating or sponsoring, you invest in youth-driven change and gain recognition throughout the mediation, education, and youth leadership communities.
Top 3 Reasons to Support PMI
- Champion youth leadership and restorative justice
- Connect your organization with a meaningful community cause
- See your impact in the stories and successes of our youth
Sponsorship Opportunties
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact cristina@westernjustice.org.
Mediation Ally ($250)
This tier is designed for individuals looking to support and underwrite attendance costs for one student.
Event Recognition: Name listing on the official Peer Mediation Invitational digital program and website.
Peace Advocate ($500)
This tier is designed for local retail shops, cafes, or independent contractors looking to show neighborhood solidarity.
Social Impact: Business name included in a collective “Thank You to Our Local Business Partners” post on WJC’s social media channels and newsletter.
Digital Badge: A “Proud Supporter of WJC” digital badge for the business website or social media.
Activation booth at PMI: Showcase your organization and connect directly with students, educators, and community leaders (limited number available).
Plus: All perks from the Mediation Ally tier.
Conflict Resolver ($1,000)
Ideal for boutique professional services (realtors, accountants, local firms) wanting targeted exposure.
Quarter-page Advertisement: Included in event materials and ‘Thank You to Our Local Business Partners’ messaging.
Visual Branding: Logo placement on the official WJC event webpage.
Event Visibility: Verbal acknowledgment during the event’s opening or closing remarks.
Plus: All perks from the Peace Advocate tier.
Community Champion ($1,500)
Perfect for established local businesses looking for prominent brand visibility among educators, youth leaders, and families.
Half-page Advertisement: Included in event materials and ‘Thank You to Our Local Business Partners’ messaging.
Dedicated Spotlight: Individual “Small Business Spotlight” feature in the WJC monthly email newsletter.
On-Site Presence: Opportunity to include a digital promotional flyer or a physical item in the student participant resource packets.
Plus: All perks from the Conflict Resolver tier.
Hear from Our Community
We can tell these skills are important because we see their absence in leadership and in society. Learning these skills that our generation has somehow lost is, I think, going to be crucial to how our society and our culture progress.
Hon. Halim Dhanidina
I’m proud to be associated with this work, it’s really healing our communities in a deep way. Watching young people build these skills helps me understand my purpose. If I had these skills when I was younger, my relationships would be completely different.
Shaphan Roberts, Ph.D.
Community circles and peer mediation have launched in ways we never even expected. The shift is about people being willing to be vulnerable, to really see each other, and to build a sense of belonging and community in our schools.
Julianne Reynoso, Ed.D.
Before we had peer mediation, we definitely had a lot more fights and conflicts between students. Peer mediation helped our students learn how to communicate better and resolve their problems in a very mature manner.
Dominique Perez
Everybody in the community, parents, students, staff, administration, district personnel—everybody’s a valued part of the community. And when you feel like you have a voice, you want to be more a part of the solution.
Randel Johnson
Peer mediation in school helps students resolve conflict. We’re leaders on campus. Sometimes students might not have people to talk to. When they come to us, we can use those skills to make sure they're heard and feel safe.
Angel Rodriguez
I became a peer mediator because I wanted to help out my fellow classmates. During peer mediations, I can connect with my peers one-on-one and build a connection that some teachers may not be able to.
Taemin Han
The community-building circles and peer mediation—we’ve seen that they’re working and the changes they’ve made on our campus, especially after the fires. The work has helped us come together as a community and hold that resilience to move forward.
Madelyn Velasquez
Being able to help them figure out solutions on their own, develop communication skills, and listen with an open heart. They’re able to use those skills to have solutions in a non-violent way—at school, at home, anywhere.
Kiyana Hendrix
I think the Western Justice Center is empowering the next generation of peacemakers. These skills are invaluable regardless of where the student decides to go professionally, as well as in their personal lives.
Lise Prisarojn
55 South Grand Avenue,
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 584-7494
#BuildingPeaceTogether
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